Hail to the Chiefs: McCall Inks Deal With New Police Chief, Hailey Gets New Fire Chief

The city of McCall has inked a contract with its new chief of police, Justin Williams. The McCall Star-News reports that when Williams agreed to become the Valley County city's new police chief, he took a $12,000 pay cut. Williams heads up law enforcement at Tarleton State University in Stephensville,Texas, where his salary is $96,231. His salary in McCall, when he begins in January 2014, will be $84,218. The compensation package also includes $7,000 for relocation, but if Williams lasts less than 18 months on the job, he would have to repay the city for moving expenses.

Williams replaces former McCall Police Chief Jerry Summers, who was fired from the force in February but is suing the city for wrongful termination.

The Idaho Mountain Express reports that Hailey Mayor Fritz Haemmerle said there "was never a complete consensus among City Council members on who should be chosen," but that Aberbach was near the top among the votes. Haemmerle added that "his only concern is that the selection represents a trend in the valley of going too far afield in choosing people for staff positions."

Hailey advertised for the position at the state and national levels, and said it received more than 30 "well-qualified applications."

Former Fire Chief Mike Chapman stepped away from the job earlier this month in order to relocate to Denver to be closer to family.